I grew up on a farm in Idaho.  My father had a day job so he could only work on the farm at night and on Saturdays. This left my sisters and I to help in the fields and tend to our very large garden. In the fall, we helped pick and can all the produce. We even picked the wild asparagus growing on the ditch-banks! That, along with the beef we raised, we had food to eat all year.  It was a great example of how to be self-reliant. I was also taught many other skills such as, sewing, baking bread and woodworking, which I have been grateful for as I have raised my children.

Once I got married, I lived the opposite life: a big city in Arizona! Stores are in abundance, and with the hot weather, everything I knew about gardening was out the window. I know that many people have succeeded at growing things here, but I failed over and over and quickly gave up. With the desire to have my shelves stocked like I was used to growing up, I had to learn to be very frugal and quickly became a “coupon queen”, as my friends call me. Over the years, I was able to feed my family cheaply and kept the main things we lived on stocked up. Because of the great deals I got, I was also able to help struggling families.

My husband and I became empty nesters a year and a half ago and I got out of the habit of stocking up. One day, I realized that I had very little food left in the house.  I panicked!!!  That was the turning point for me!  At that time, I had a huge impression that I not only needed to fill my shelves again, but I also needed to fill my house!  I had an overwhelming feeling that tough times where coming and that I, as a mother, needed to have enough to be able to help feed my family, even if they didn’t live with me! (They are all starting out in life and struggling.) I could hardly sleep for months. My husband thought I was going nuts, but I couldn’t shake the panic I was feeling and could only focus on getting prepared.  The more food and supplies I got, the better I started to sleep.

We have definitely had to sacrifice some fun and some wants to accomplish our preparedness goals, BUT so many blessings have poured in that have helped us in our efforts. I have done something every day for the last year! From canning well over 500 pints of meat (among other things) to packaging over one thousand 9mm bullets, I’m armed at all points. In fact, I seal something in my Food Saver every day. I even ruined a Food Saver by trying to seal cornstarch in a canning jar! What a mess! My husband jokes that I will just seal him up when he dies and stick him in the ground! LOL

Thanks to the internet, I have researched and learned so much about being self-reliant. I’ve learned things like: how to store a variety of foods, not being dependent on electricity (especially for cooking), health and first aid skills and have even started to try to garden again. Not only do I have peace of mind, but I truly enjoy preparing.  It’s something anyone and everyone can do. Starting out can be overwhelming, but I tell my friends to focus on one area until it’s conquered and then maintain that while you move on to another area. I feel the desire to share my knowledge and skills so I can teach and help others who want to be prepared. I have taught several people to can and some have purchased a Food Saver because they have seen what I have been doing.  It’s exciting that many of my friends have gotten the preparedness bug because of my example.  I LOVE IT! I love that I can influence people for good! Besides, the more people prepared, the better!!!

Wouldn’t you want that peace of mind too?

S.B. AZ

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117 Comments

Deborah · April 8, 2012 at 12:59 pm

Hello, I feel the same way. My daughter was just here for spring break with my granddaughters. She say my pantry and said I didnt need anything. But I told her yes I did…I still need to raise cows and chickens, ammo and a gun. And I need a well put it on the property. She laughed and told me that I had water why worry…I didnt say anything…BTW I would love to know how you made your own bullets…I would love to do that too.
Deborah

db · April 8, 2012 at 3:59 pm

I feel the same. I am just starting and have a long way to go, but at least I am starting.

Teresa · April 8, 2012 at 4:39 pm

As I get closer to having an empty nest, it may be 2-3 years down the road, the food is going faster than I thought. After watching the Dooms Day show, my family feels that we should build up the food storage and make sure we have enough to eat. Our goal is make sure that we have enough and make sure we are safe.

Leslie Chugg · April 8, 2012 at 9:54 pm

This is so inspiring! I bought Greg a Food Saver for Christmas a couple years ago because he said he wanted one and I don’t think he’s ever used it! We will get it out and use it for somethng for FHE tomorrow night! We have water barrels that are not full!! I do need to make Preparedness a priority!! Thank you for the incentive to get started!! And a few lessons from you would be very helpful too!!! You need to write a weekly preparedness blog!! Thank you!!!

Mark B. · April 9, 2012 at 12:16 am

I like how you took your childhood experience and used it to guide to to being prepared today!

J Bunker · April 9, 2012 at 12:20 am

Sandie! I need your ideas for the food saver. I have one, still in the box, sitting in my office. You are one of the most prepared people I know! I feel totally unprepared!

    Sandie · April 20, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    I seal everything dry since “air is the enemy”. It adds 3-5 times the shelf life. Click on the Food Saver link in your comment and Kellene has a great segment on it!

J Bunker · April 9, 2012 at 12:22 am

Thank you for the incentive! I need to get going!

Malinda · April 9, 2012 at 12:56 am

This is awesome! My husband would like the part about storing bullets. Love the food saver. Best thing ever.

Mark · April 9, 2012 at 1:46 am

It sounds like you have a good variety to what you’ve stored! Keep up the great work!

J Bunker · April 9, 2012 at 4:16 am

Would love to find out what kinds of things you store with your food saver.

Heidi · April 9, 2012 at 4:36 am

You are so inspiring!!!
Thank you for your dedication to preparedness!
You really should start a blog!

pam8833 · April 9, 2012 at 4:39 am

I too use my food saver often and can fruits/vegetables. I admire your preparedness. I’ve been a bit unsure about canning meats though. I garden and can or dehydrate about everything you can think of. The food saver bags are expensive but I use to have a less expensive brand of equipment and the bags were so flimsy and really did not work. My best friend gave me the food saver as a gift and I LOVE it. I too love to sew and am an empty nester and would love to know how to become a coupon queen too. Thank you for the inspiration and sharing your story.

Leslie Chugg · April 10, 2012 at 5:11 am

I didn’t know you grew up on a farm! That’s awesome! No wonder you are so talented! I enjoyed you article!

Leslie Chugg · April 10, 2012 at 5:11 am

I agree…you need to start a blog on all the things you have done and share some more ideas with us!!

Leslie Chugg · April 10, 2012 at 5:15 am

I’d also love to learn how to can meat! That is something that we will all definitely need!

Leslie Chugg · April 10, 2012 at 5:16 am

And you can teach me how to coupon too! See you’ve got great ideas for your first blogs!! Thanks for sharing!!

Del · April 10, 2012 at 6:47 am

great article, please do not vacumn seal the husband 🙂

Del · April 10, 2012 at 6:48 am

loved reading this your are an inspiration

Kathy Willis · April 10, 2012 at 3:26 pm

You are the ‘real’ deal when it comes to being prepared in all things! You practice what you preach and you ‘teach’ what you preach and I have 365 bottles of meat to prove it. You Amaze!! Thanks for everything.

Kathy Willis · April 10, 2012 at 3:30 pm

Your committment has been an inspiration and because you have shared your experiences, other are making strides they wouldn’t have made otherwise.

Heidi · April 10, 2012 at 9:51 pm

Keep up the good work, Sandie! xoxox

Heidi · April 10, 2012 at 9:54 pm

I need lessons! 🙂

Heidi · April 10, 2012 at 9:55 pm

Do you make house calls?? You’re very inspiring!

Kati · April 10, 2012 at 9:56 pm

You are awesome, Aunt Sandie!

Halle · April 10, 2012 at 9:57 pm

I need you to come help us organize our new house!

Sarah Stadler · April 10, 2012 at 10:29 pm

You are inspiring Sandie.

    Sarah Stadler · April 10, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    Im not sure why that first sentence appeared.

Sarah Stadler · April 10, 2012 at 10:31 pm

Wish we still lived by ya’ll. You could teach me how to use my food saver.

Sarah Stadler · April 10, 2012 at 10:31 pm

You sound like an expert. I hope you win.

Sarah Stadler · April 10, 2012 at 10:33 pm

I need to teach my girls how to bake bread too.

Valerie · April 11, 2012 at 2:58 am

You are amazing! Love ya!

Del · April 11, 2012 at 4:47 am

I love this one!!

Del · April 11, 2012 at 4:47 am

Great Advice

Del · April 11, 2012 at 4:48 am

great that you share with others

erin · April 11, 2012 at 1:33 pm

Wow! thanks so much for taking the time to help others!

Kim · April 11, 2012 at 2:41 pm

This is such a great thing!!! Keep on preparing!

Kayla Gerratt · April 11, 2012 at 3:17 pm

Thanks for sharing your story! You have inspired me to do the same!
I have used my food saver a ton since Christmas!!

Ann B. · April 11, 2012 at 3:45 pm

I love my Food saver too, and Yes I do want that peace of mind!!

Ann B. · April 11, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Thank you for the boost of inspiration!!!

Ann B. · April 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm

We planted a Garden, trying to be obedient!!

LaDawn · April 11, 2012 at 3:56 pm

You are a wealth of knowledge so inspiring!

LaDawn · April 11, 2012 at 3:57 pm

You have me convinced that a food saved is a must have.

LaDawn · April 11, 2012 at 4:01 pm

I love your willingness to share everything you have worked so hard to learn with others.

MJ · April 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm

This is inspiring! I have 3 months worth of food in my garage, which shocks many of my friends that haven’t grown up with the encouragement to have food storage. I know I can do more, though! Thanks for the ideas!

MJ · April 11, 2012 at 6:17 pm

I am looking into Food Savers. I feel like I throw away so much produce! My mom bought a Food Saver after talking to you and she said she can keep a lot of produce up to a month in the fridge after sealing it! Awesome!

MJ · April 11, 2012 at 6:23 pm

I wonder how long a dead person would last without decomposing if they were vacuum sealed. Seems like a long time… Sorry, gross comment.

Mel · April 11, 2012 at 9:08 pm

Thanks for the advice on taking one thing and mastering it before moving on to the next. I think sometimes it’s overwhelming to be thinking about everything, but taking one thing at a time would be so much easier 🙂

Mel · April 11, 2012 at 9:09 pm

I liked hearing about your childhood and what you learned to help you know how to be self reliant now.

Mel · April 11, 2012 at 9:10 pm

Thanks for the inspiration!

Mel · April 11, 2012 at 9:10 pm

I loved your story!

Mel · April 11, 2012 at 9:11 pm

Thanks for sharing!

DB · April 12, 2012 at 3:15 am

Thanks for sharing

DB · April 12, 2012 at 3:17 am

Thanks for the inspiration

AC · April 12, 2012 at 4:48 am

I don’t know, I could see a use for vacuum sealing a husband. Preserves the shelf life 😉

AC · April 12, 2012 at 4:50 am

You are a true prepper- even canning ground beef. That’s dedication!

AC · April 12, 2012 at 4:51 am

You are awesome! What a great example!

AC · April 12, 2012 at 4:53 am

Amen, sister! You need to win a prize or something 🙂

AC · April 12, 2012 at 4:55 am

Thanks for your example! I’m building up my store because of you. Brings peace of mind every time I buy another jug of water or bag of rice.

JERRY CANTRELL · April 12, 2012 at 2:53 pm

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE LIKE YOU

Monica · April 13, 2012 at 5:30 am

You’ve motivated me! Love that your husband is afraid you are going to seal him up!!!

Monica · April 13, 2012 at 5:31 am

You’ve motivated me

Stephanie · April 14, 2012 at 8:22 pm

You are an inspiration!

Stephanie · April 14, 2012 at 8:23 pm

Thanks for helping me get my supply going!

Stephanie · April 14, 2012 at 8:23 pm

Great article!

Stephanie · April 14, 2012 at 8:25 pm

Motivating to get a peace of mind!

Stephanie · April 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm

You are doing so well! I appriciate your help!

Tyler · April 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm

Great essay!

Tyler · April 14, 2012 at 8:27 pm

Thanks for the motiviation!

Tyler · April 14, 2012 at 8:28 pm

You rock! Keep preppin!

Tyler · April 14, 2012 at 8:29 pm

Way to go Idaho! Keep spreading the word!

Tyler · April 14, 2012 at 8:31 pm

What an inspiration!

Jane · April 18, 2012 at 12:16 am

I am also an empty nester and still feel the need to prepare for my family and others.

Barbara · April 19, 2012 at 4:48 am

Thanks for your example….motivated me to get back in the swing of things and rethink my storage needs.

Casey · April 19, 2012 at 4:49 am

Love it!

Barbara · April 19, 2012 at 4:50 am

I love that I can share with you what I have accomplished and that you are as excited as I am about it! THANKS!

Barbara · April 19, 2012 at 4:51 am

You are a wealth of knowledge!

Barbara · April 19, 2012 at 4:51 am

You should win a “preparedness” award. YOU ROCK!

Barbara · April 19, 2012 at 4:52 am

I would give you 50 votes if I could! You inspire people to be better.

Teresa · April 19, 2012 at 4:57 am

You are truly amazing! Looking forward to you helping me someday.

Teresa · April 19, 2012 at 4:59 am

Oh, and I haven’t broken into my vacuum sneaked m&ms yet, aren’t you proud?

Teresa · April 19, 2012 at 5:01 am

Nice job! Loved your essay!

Anna · April 19, 2012 at 5:03 am

Awesome writing! You sound like you’re prepared for anything. Good job!

Teresa · April 19, 2012 at 5:03 am

You’re an amazing example.

Mark · April 19, 2012 at 7:47 am

Thanks for the inspiration!

Mark · April 19, 2012 at 7:49 am

It’s good to know you can still prepare even though you dont have land to grow a garden!

Mark · April 19, 2012 at 7:49 am

Keep up the good work!!!

Malinda · April 19, 2012 at 2:07 pm

Awesome!

Malinda · April 19, 2012 at 2:08 pm

Great information!

Malinda · April 19, 2012 at 2:09 pm

What an inspiration!

Malinda · April 19, 2012 at 2:10 pm

So when you ruined your food saver, did you have to buy a new one?

roz · April 19, 2012 at 2:32 pm

I want to be on your team!

Kim · April 19, 2012 at 2:33 pm

This is amazing..keep it up!!

Kim · April 19, 2012 at 2:34 pm

I want a food saver now. You have talked me into it.

Kim · April 19, 2012 at 2:34 pm

Lets do some saving together!!!!

Roz · April 19, 2012 at 2:35 pm

Good story!

Roz · April 19, 2012 at 2:35 pm

You’re amazing!

Roz · April 19, 2012 at 2:36 pm

This makes me want to get started!

Kim · April 19, 2012 at 2:36 pm

At one time I had 375 bottles of canned food in my storage that had sttuff from our garden..now I have no bottles and no garden:(.

Roz · April 19, 2012 at 2:36 pm

you go girl!

Kim · April 19, 2012 at 2:38 pm

I’m encouraging my kids to do this!!!

Jonathan · April 19, 2012 at 2:57 pm

I started a garden this year too!

Jonathan · April 19, 2012 at 2:58 pm

Thanks for the preparedness advice.

Jonathan · April 19, 2012 at 2:58 pm

Great essay!

Jonathan · April 19, 2012 at 2:59 pm

Thanks!

Jonathan · April 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm

Where do you recommend starting?

    Sandie · April 20, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    I suggest starting with the basics: wheat, rice and beans and store water. Slowly add the rest as you can.

Becky · April 19, 2012 at 3:23 pm

You are a true inspiration! Sealing pasta in qt jars with a food saver has been easy and fun!

Jane · April 19, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Thanks for your example! This is awesome!

Jane · April 19, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Good job!

TUlt · April 19, 2012 at 9:08 pm

Very inspiring! I need to get me a Food Saver!

Cheryl Kirby · April 22, 2012 at 4:14 am

What a ray of sunshine you are to those of us “plodding” along. You’re pretty amazing!

Cheryl · April 22, 2012 at 4:20 am

I’m panicking just reading your preparedness because I have enough to last about 6 or 7 hours around my house if I’m lucky and only if I hide some of it from the grazers!!!

Cheryl · April 22, 2012 at 4:22 am

When you do something, you really DO something!! Never half way. You go girl.

Cheryl · April 22, 2012 at 4:24 am

Seriously?? 500 pints of meat? That’s got to be a record in the Guiness book of food storage!

Cheryl · April 22, 2012 at 4:26 am

What an example of how when we do what the Lord wants us to do, it brings true peace of mind. Why is that such a hard lesson for us to learn?

Bob · April 23, 2012 at 7:01 pm

A wonderful example ofthe importance of preparation. When all else fails food would be the item of choice. Cannot eat money. Self reliance is a lost art that will find its way back into society. Great message

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